Showing papers by "Everett L. Worthington published in 1990"
133 citations
TL;DR: The Kvebaek Family Sculpture Technique (KFST) is a symbolic figure placement procedure for family assessment as mentioned in this paper, where family members arrange blocks representing themselves on a standard grid to depict the emotional distance or closenss they feel toward each other.
Abstract: The Kvebaek Family Sculpture Technique (KFST) is a symbolic figure placement procedure for family assessment. Family members arrange blocks representing themselves on a standard grid to depict the emotional distance or closenss they feel toward each other. However, published evidence for convergent validity of the technique is scant. This study compared KFST emotional distance with cohesion measured by the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III (FACES III). Families (N=31) having at least one adolescent and two parents participated. KFST distance was significantly related to FACES III cohesion, suggesting some convergent validity for the KFST. Potential uses of the KFST for family therapy are considered.
21 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that people value a focus on the marriage because it blends individual rights and communal responsibilities and it is the only voluntary relationship between dyads with the family, and that clients often request it and resist a redefinition of marital concerns as individual or family problems.
Abstract: Two therapists have recently suggested that marital therapy is either a shadow of individual therapy (Robert Harper) or eclipsed by family therapy (Jay Haley). We offer an apologia for marital therapy. We suggest that empirical evidence shows that it works. Further, clients often request it and resist a redefinition of marital concerns as individual or family problems. Finally, people value a focus on the marriage because (a) it blends individual rights and communal responsibilities and (b) it is the only voluntary relationship between dyads with the family. We conclude that marital therapy, when requested and appropriate, is legitimate and effective.
1 citations